What was once called “Car .NET” – Microsoft Car Technologies

A lot of the extra or tertiary type stuff Google does is often justified by saying what improves the Internet and gets more people using it more often is good for Google.

It only takes a couple moments of reflection to realize that if Google’s vision of self-driving cars takes off, people would have a lot more time to surf and play on the web! Think of the billions of man-hours spent behind the wheel. If computers could automate all this, wouldn’t it be the ultimate robotics application?

In an attempt to gain early entry into the “apps market” for automobiles, Microsoft and Ford are allowing third-parties to develop apps for the Sync Platform developed by Microsoft and found in Ford Cars. In much the same way that the iPhone App Marketplace has been a driver for iPhone and iPod Touch sales, if it takes off, the Sync or Ford Apps Marketplace could eventually be a driver of Ford caras or at least he Sync platform.

According to the article: “Ford’s exclusive right to the Microsoft software that powers Sync has expired.”

Interestingly, the article concludes “Cars are commodities and every manufacturer realizes it,” said Thilo Koslowski, a Gartner automotive analyst. “Something like Sync and the software it downloads become an important differentiator.” Wow – cars are the commodities and who owns the apps marketplace could become the winnter.

According to a recent press release about the Windows Embedded Partner Program (WEPP), the next version of Microsoft Auto will be announced in 2010.

“The current release of Microsoft Auto (version 4.1) and the next generation of Microsoft Auto, which will be announced in 2010 and is currently code-named “Motegi,” underscore Microsoft’s commitment to the market.”

Microsoft’s biggest success in the effort to get their technology into cars so far has been Ford’s Sync platform.

Ford Sync has many voice-activated functions allowing you to control the radio, phone, and other stuff with your voice. However, I wonder if someone on 91.5 Public Radio suddenly yelled some secret “blue screen” command to make all the cars on the highway suddenly die on the road! Then FORD could really stand for Found On Road Dead, hehe.

Microsoft and the car industry did not get off to a solid start back in the 90′s, in fact there were several variations of jokes suggesting Microsoft and the auto industry stay far away from each other!